Chinese start-up Galactic Energy plans reusable rocket debut this year
- It would make Pallas-1 the first reusable rocket developed in China to reach orbit, but it’s not clear if it will be recovered during the flight
- Company’s chief executive says it will be ‘ready to fly this November’ in announcement that adds fuel to the race to develop the rockets
Chinese launch start-up Galactic Energy is gearing up to debut its reusable rocket later this year. If it happens, Pallas-1 will be the first such rocket developed in China to reach orbit – though it is not clear if it will be recovered during the flight.
The announcement adds fuel to the race to develop reusable rockets in China. A number of the rockets are under development in the country but none were expected to be ready for space until next year.
Named for the goddess Athena in Greek mythology, Pallas-1 is slated to lift off from a spacecraft launch centre on the southern island of Hainan in November, according to local news site Hinews.cn.
The 49-metre (160-foot) kerosene-liquid oxygen rocket is designed to be used up to 50 times.
During a recent visit to the launch centre, Galactic Energy chief executive Liu Baiqi briefed staff on the rocket’s progress and discussed issues like the launch pad, satellite interface and spacecraft tracking in preparation for its flight, the report on January 31 said.
“Pallas-1 will be ready to fly this November,” Liu was quoted as saying. “People will be able to watch the launch from the coast of the South China Sea and enjoy the beauty of wisdom and technology.”
Asked if and where Pallas-1’s first-stage section will be retrieved during the maiden flight, a company representative said this information was “not suitable for release at the moment”.